12 or 20 gauge?

Hey all, I'm new here so thanks for welcoming me. I am interested in buying a shotgun for shooting clays and home defense. I would prefer pump action. This gun would also be handled by my girl friend so I'm concenered the 12 would be too heavy or too powerful for her. Also, I'm not looking to spend over $300. Any suggestions? Thanks!

You can pick up a decent Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 12-gauge for that price range. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 12-gauge. Get some low-recoil rounds for her to practice with, then keep it loaded with 00 buck for HD.

12 ga would probably be cheaper to buy, easier to find, easier to find shells for. Especially buckshot rounds. Other than that, I wouldn't feel uncomfortable with either for home defense, 20 will be more fun for shooting clays, it is lighter for the GF to handle. Look at a youth model 870, the Lovely Miss Freefall has owned one since she was 12, she still loves it even tho she's now 5"11" and could handle a larger gun.

Whatever gauge you go with I would get a shotgun with a combo barrel setup.
*18.5" barrel for home defense & 28" barrel for shooting clays*
Mossberg 500 series is known for having combo barrel setups, Remington
870's also. The Mossberg will probably fit your budget better.
Don't know the size of your gal, but 20ga's are usually associated with women shotgun users. It's not only the recoil issue, but the feel/handling and the swings needing to be effortless as possible.

A 12 or a 20 ga would well for home defense or target shooting. As mentioned a 12ga would probably be cheaper to feed and you'll be able to find a wider range of loads although the 20ga is a close second. If you want your girl to be able to shoot it as well I would be concerned with stock length. I doubt your arms and her's are the same so what feels good for you will most likely be too long for her. If you compromise either way it will be harder for you/her to shoot well and it can be frustrating.

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